🔹 Slide 1: Cover
Title:
Top 10 Most Common Scams in Asia Right Now
Subtitle:
From Singapore to Shanghai, Manila to Mumbai—these are the scams destroying lives daily.
🔹 Slide 2: Real Story – “A Week, A Scam, A Regret”
Lisa, 33, was running her freelance business from home in Kuala Lumpur. In just seven days, she was exposed to five different scams.
1. SMS saying her Maybank account was suspended
2. Email from a “Shopee affiliate team” offering side income
3. WhatsApp job offer to boost TikTok videos
4. A WeChat message from a fake relative needing urgent funds
5. Telegram group promising crypto returns of 50%
She didn’t fall for most of them—until one got her:
“It was the job offer,” she said.
“They sent ‘salary slips’ and added me to a group with others. It felt real.”
She lost RM6,800.
🔹 Slide 3: Why This List Matters
Scams change fast.
What worked last year doesn’t work today.
But in 2025, based on trends in Singapore, Malaysia, China, the Philippines, and India, these are the Top 10 Most Active Scams across SMS, email, WhatsApp, and WeChat.
Let’s break them down—real tactics, real losses, real warnings.
🔹 Slide 4: #1 – Fake Job Offers on WhatsApp & Telegram
You’re offered high pay for easy work:
“Just like & share YouTube videos and get $50 daily.”
🚨 Red Flags:
- Unsolicited message
- No interview or application
- Promise of fast cash
- Asked to pay a “processing fee” or “guarantee deposit”
📉 Losses in Asia (2024): Over $200 million
👀 Why it works: It preys on unemployment, inflation, and rising gig economy hopes.
🔹 Slide 5: #2 – Phishing SMS from “Banks” or “Delivery Services”
The message reads:
“DBS: Your card is frozen. Click here to reactivate.”
“Shopee Express: Failed delivery. Reschedule now.”
🚨 Red Flags:
- Short URL (bit.ly, goo.gl)
- Panic-driven messages
- No personalization
- Looks like a mass text
📉 Common in: Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong
💡 Tip: Always go to the official bank or app directly. Never trust links in SMS.
🔹 Slide 6: #3 – Romance Scams on WeChat, Facebook, Instagram
The story:
You meet someone who says all the right things.
They message daily, build trust, and then:
“I need help. My mom is in surgery.”
“Let’s invest together and build a future.”
📉 Average loss per victim in Asia: $9,000–$15,000
👤 Often targets older adults or lonely professionals.
🚨 Red Flags:
- Avoids video calls
- Moves fast emotionally
- Asks for money within 2–3 weeks
- Gives investment advice
🔹 Slide 7: #4 – Investment Scams with Fake Screenshots
You’re shown screenshots of profits:
“My capital doubled in 7 days!”
“Here’s proof. Join the private group.”
They invite you to:
- Buy crypto or stocks
- Use their “app” or “advisor”
- Top-up money after initial small wins
🧠 Psychology: They show fake gains first so you trust them. The big con comes later.
📉 Trending in: Thailand, Philippines, India, and China
🔹 Slide 8: #5 – Parcel Delivery Scams (WeChat & SMS)
You get this alert:
“You missed a parcel. Please pay $1 to redeliver.”
Or
“Your customs package is under investigation.”
They link you to fake SingPost, China Post, or LBC Express pages.
🚨 Danger:
- Some include malware links
- Others collect full name, ID, and credit card info
- Some evolve into “Interpol scams” demanding huge fines
📉 Losses: Over SGD 50 million in 2024 in Singapore alone.
🔹 Slide 9: #6 – Loan Scams with Instant Approvals
The bait:
“Get instant cash, no documents, no credit check!”
“Low interest, 5-minute disbursement.”
After “approval,” you’re asked to:
- Pay upfront admin fees
- Share bank and IC info
- Send money to process your loan
📉 Most common in: Philippines, India, Indonesia
🚨 After sending money, the “agent” vanishes—or threatens blackmail using your IC photos.
🔹 Slide 10: #7 – Business Impersonation Emails
Example:
You receive an invoice or contract from your “supplier” or “client” — same logo, similar email.
They ask you to:
- Approve payment
- Change bank details
- Transfer money to a new account
📉 Known as: “Business Email Compromise (BEC)”
🎯 Targets SMEs and freelancers
🚨 Tip: Always confirm payment changes via voice call with someone you know.
🔹 Slide 11: #8 – CPF/EPF/Insurance Account Scams
SMS or email says:
“Your CPF has irregular activity. Secure it now.”
“Update EPF info to avoid account freeze.”
🚨 Links lead to fake login pages that look real. Once you enter your NRIC and password, they’re gone.
📉 Common targets: Singapore (CPF), Malaysia (EPF), India (PF)
💡 Tip: These agencies never ask for login via third-party links.
🔹 Slide 12: #9 – “Police” or “Immigration” Threat Scams
You get a call (or WeChat message) from “authorities”:
“You’re involved in money laundering.”
“There’s a warrant under your name.”
They show fake badges, logos, even send “court documents.”
Then they demand fines or ask you to “cooperate” by transferring money.
📉 Victims lose $10,000 to $200,000
📍 Major hotspot: Mainland Chinese in Southeast Asia
🚨 Tip: No legal authority will ever ask for payment via chat or wire transfer.
🔹 Slide 13: #10 – QR Code Payment Traps
Used in:
- Malls
- Hawker centers
- Fundraisers
- Delivery slips
Scammers replace or paste QR codes on top of legit ones.
You scan and unknowingly transfer money to their personal account.
🧠 Why it’s dangerous: No one suspects a QR code—it looks “techy” and safe.
📉 Common in urban cities: Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, and even malls in Shenzhen.
🔹 Slide 14: Summary – Know the Scam Landscape
Scam Type
Platform
Danger Level
Fake Job Offers
WhatsApp/Telegram
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
SMS Phishing
SMS
🔥🔥🔥🔥
Romance Scams
WeChat/Facebook
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Investment Fake Apps
Telegram/WhatsApp
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Parcel & Customs Scams
SMS/WeChat
🔥🔥🔥🔥
Instant Loan Traps
🔥🔥🔥🔥
Fake Business Emails
🔥🔥🔥🔥
CPF/EPF Fraud
SMS/Email
🔥🔥🔥
Police/Interpol Threats
Phone/WeChat
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
QR Code Scams
Physical World
🔥🔥🔥
🔹 Slide 15: What You Can Do Today
✅ Save this list and review once a month
✅ Share it with family—especially parents and students
✅ Follow @ScamShieldSG or local cybercrime police
✅ Report scams immediately to local scam hotlines
🧠 Being aware is half the battle. The rest? Never stop questioning.
🔹 Slide 16: Coming Tomorrow…
🔒 Week 1, Day 6:
The Anatomy of a Real Scam Message
Dissecting screenshots and pointing out exactly what gives a scam away.
